DNR officers executed arrest warrants across the Upstate for multiple charges relation to the illegal taking of bears. These charges were baiting bear, killing a bear sow with cubs, trespassing, wildlife management land abuse, hunting license violations, distribution of marijuana and conspiracy to violate South Carolina Game laws.

These violations have penalties that range in fines from $500 to $2,500 and or jail time ranging from 30 days to two years.

The men arrested and charged, according to DNR, are: Charles Claude Blowers, 63; David Winston Brown, 41; Ty Cooper Mills, 23; Thomas Elliot Mann, 35; Jason Russell Sullivan, 27; Wesley Caylor Hedden, 34 and Sherwood L. Patterson, 64. The charges against each person vary, and not all are facing the same ones.